Researchers at the Australian National University (ANU) sought to understand the mechanisms that drive the production of atypical B cells (ABCs) in the immune system, which are considered "junk cells". Using gene editing technology in mice, researchers at the Australian National University have discovered a gene called Zeb2, which is essential for the production of ABC. By manipulating the Zeb2 gene, they found that it disrupted the production of ABC in the immune system and that mice without the Zeb2 gene could not control malaria infections. Their findings suggest that ABC plays a vital role in the fight against malaria infection.
Their new study, published in an article in Science Immunology, is titled "ZEB2 Drives CD11C+ Atypical B Cell Formation to Maintain Germinal Centers That Control Persistent Infection."
CD11C+ atypical B cells (ABCs) are a lineage of alternative memory B cells associated with immunity, infection, and autoimmunity. However, the factors driving the ABC transcription program have not been identified, and the function of this group is still not fully understood," the researchers wrote. "Here, we identified candidate transcription factors associated with the ABC population based on a single-cell dataset of human tonsillar B cells.
This discovery provides new insights into how the immune system fights infections and brings scientists closer to harnessing the body's natural defenses to fight malaria. Scientists say ABC could also be the key to developing new ** for chronic autoimmune diseases such as lupus. According to the researchers, ABC has long been associated with malaria because malaria patients have more of these cells in their systems than the general population.
While ABC is known to cause chronic inflammatory diseases and autoimmunity, we have discovered the previously unknown ability of these cells to fight disease," said lead author Dr Xin Gao, a postdoctoral researcher at the Australian National University. "In that sense, ABC is like a double-edged sword. Contrary to past belief, ABC is not a junk cell; They are more important than we think.
Their study found that ABCS also contributes to the development of T follicular helper cells.
Antibodies can block parasites in the blood because they spread from the site of an infectious mosquito bite to the liver, where the infection is first established.
Targeting ABC could also pave the way for new** for certain autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, the researchers said.
ABC is also seen in large numbers in many autoimmune diseases, including lupus, which can be life-threatening in severe cases," said study co-author Dr Ian Cockburn, a professor at the Australian National University's John Curtin School of Medical Research.
By better understanding the role of ABC in the immune system and the role of cells in fighting disease, it can bring us closer to one day developing new and more effective **.